Clamping arrangement for receiving a saw blade in multiple orientations

ABSTRACT

A saw blade clamping arrangement for a power tool includes a clamp support, a biasing member and an actuation member. The clamp support is interconnected with the drive shaft for reciprocating motion with the drive shaft relative to a housing of the power tool. The clamp support is configured to selectively receive a saw blade of the power tool in various orientations. A release lever is carried by the housing and is manually rotated to move a control member between a first position in which the saw blade is coupled to the drive shaft and a second position in which the saw blade may be displaced from the drive shaft. In at least one of the orientations, the saw blade is positioned offset from the drive shaft and proximate one of the side walls of the tool housing to allow for flush cutting of a work piece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No.09/955,374, filed Sep. 17, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,317), which isa continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/416,819, filed Oct. 12, 1999 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,295,736), which is a continuation-in-part application ofU.S. Ser. No. 09/057,788 filed Apr. 9, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No.6,023,848), which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No.08/881,091 filed Jun. 24, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,627), which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 08/744,023 filed Nov.5, 1996 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,352), which is a continuation-in-partapplication of U.S. Ser. No. 08/504,050, filed Jun. 9, 1995 (now U.S.Pat. No. 5,647,133).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates in general to power tools. Inparticular, the present invention relates to saw blade clampingarrangements for power tools having a saw blade mounted to a shaft forreciprocating cutting motion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Power reciprocating saws including jigsaws and otherreciprocating saws are generally referred to in the trade as “recip”saws. These saws incorporate reciprocating drive shafts. The driveshafts operate to drive generally linear saw blades along apredetermined path so as to provide one of a rectilinear or orbitalcutting action.

[0004] In a conventional manner, the saw blades used with such powertools are attached to the reciprocating drive shafts through a bladeholder having a slot for receiving the saw blade and a set screw whichis received in a hole in the blade. The blade is clamped in placerelative to the reciprocating drive shaft through tightening of the setscrew. While this conventional manner of saw blade attachment has provento be generally satisfactory and commercially successful, it is notwithout inherent disadvantages. For example, power reciprocating sawsare subject to high vibration forces during operation which frequentlyresult in loosening of the set screw. If the set screw does not remainsufficiently tightened, the saw blade may become disengaged from thedrive shaft. An additional disadvantage with the conventional mountingof saw blades to reciprocating drive shafts relates to an inability toquickly and easily remove saw blades which become worn or fractured.Because it is often desirable to cut a work piece with minimum materialloss, it is desirable to correspondingly minimize the saw bladethickness. As a result, breakage due to the forces encountered duringtypical use is not an uncommon occurrence. This potential frequency ofblade changing makes the ease and rapidity of such action desirable. Afurther disadvantage of conventional blade clamping arrangements is thenecessity for a separate tool such as a wrench for fixation and removalof the saw blade.

[0005] Many previous attempts have been made to overcome thedisadvantages associated with the above-described conventional mountingof saw blades through elimination of the use of a set screw. However,all of these previous attempts are subject to further refinement andimprovement. For example, most of the known devices are complicated andexpensive to manufacture and assemble as a result of a constructionincluding many separate parts. Additionally, operation of many of theprior devices requires application of force which is often significantfor securing the saw blade in place and loosening of the blade forseparation from the drive shaft. Achieving a sufficient force oftenrequires the use of a wrench or other tool.

[0006] Conventional saw blade clamping arrangements also generallysuffer from an inability to receive a saw blade in multipleorientations. To the limited extend that conventional saw blade clampingarrangements are able to receive the saw blade in multiple orientations,such arrangements are not able to cooperate with a release lever carriedby a housing of the tool. Additionally, such arrangements typicallyrequire complicated mechanisms for alternatively securing the saw bladeto the drive shaft in the various orientations.

[0007] It remains a need in the pertinent art to provide a saw bladeclamping arrangement for a reciprocating saw that overcomes the aboveand other disadvantages associated with the prior art. In a similarregard, it remains a continuous goal of the pertinent art to improvecutting flexibility of reciprocating saws to avoid obstacles whileretaining cutting efficiencies and quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides various embodiments to saw bladeclamping arrangements for reciprocating power tools that overcomedisadvantages associated with the prior art. More particularly, thepresent invention provides a new and improved saw blade clampingarrangement for a power reciprocating saw which includes a release leveroperative to permit quick and easy installation and removal of a sawblade. The present invention also provides a new and improved saw bladeclamping arrangement for a power reciprocating saw that is operative toreceive the saw blade in multiple orientations.

[0009] In the preferred embodiments of the present invention to bedescribed in detail below, the release lever is pivotally mounted formovement between two positions. Further in the preferred embodiments,the release lever is not interconnected with the drive shaft forreciprocating movement therewith. Rather, the release lever is pivotallyattached to the housing, thereby reducing the mass carried by thereciprocating shaft.

[0010] Advantageously, the present invention provides a saw bladeclamping arrangement for a power reciprocating saw of simpleconstruction which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture andassemble. Additionally, the present invention provides a blade clampingarrangement which can accommodate conventional saw blades of variousconstructions and which can hold the saw blade in place without the useof set screws and without the need to employ any other form of a tool.Still yet, the present invention provides a blade clamping arrangementhaving a design which protects its components from excessive wear andpremature failure. According to one particular feature, the presentinvention also provides a saw blade clamping arrangement operative toreceive a saw blade in multiple orientations to improve flexibility ofthe tool to avoid obstacles.

[0011] In one particular form, the present invention provides a sawblade clamping arrangement for a power tool including a housing, a driveshaft mounted for reciprocating motion relative to the housing, and asaw blade releasably interconnected with the drive shaft. The clampingarrangement includes a clamp body or clamp support carried by the driveshaft operative to receive the saw blade in at least mutuallyperpendicular two orientations. The saw blade clamping arrangementfurther includes a slider or control member connected to the clampsupport for movement between a first position and a second position. Thecontrol member includes a first portion for selectively creating anoperative connection between the saw blade and the drive shaft when thesaw blade is received by the clamp support in a first of the at leasttwo mutually perpendicular orientations. The control member furtherincludes a second portion for selectively creating an operativeconnection between the saw blade and the drive shaft when the saw bladeis received by the clamp support in a second of the at least twomutually perpendicular orientations.

[0012] In another particular form, the present invention similarlyprovides a saw blade clamping arrangement for a power tool including ahousing, a drive shaft mounted for reciprocating motion relative to thehousing, and a saw blade releasably interconnected with the drive shaftfor reciprocating motion along a longitudinal axis. In this particularform the saw bade clamping arrangement includes a clamp support forattachment to the drive shaft that defines a vertical slot for receivingthe saw blade in a vertical orientation. The clamp support furtherdefines a horizontal slot for receiving the saw blade in a horizontalorientation. The vertical slot is spaced from the horizontal slot.

[0013] In yet another particular form, the present invention againprovides a saw blade clamping arrangement for a power tool including ahousing, a drive shaft mounted for reciprocating motion relative to thehousing, and a saw blade releasably interconnected with the drive shaftfor reciprocating motion along a longitudinal axis. The saw bladeclamping arrangement includes a clamp support, a control member and arelease lever. The clamp support is interconnected with the drive shaftand is configured to selectively receive the saw blade in at least twoorientations. The control member is connected to the clamp support andcreates an operative connection between the saw blade and the driveshaft when the saw blade is received by the clamp support in any of theat least two orientations. The control member is movable between a firstposition for creating the operative connection and a second positionpermitting removal of the saw blade. The release lever is mounted to thehousing and is normally spaced from the control member. The releaselever is manually movable to engage the control member and displace thecontrol member from the first position to the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Additional objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a reading of the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments which makes reference to the drawings ofwhich:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a reciprocating sawincorporating a saw blade clamping arrangement constructed in accordancewith the teachings of a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the saw blade clampingarrangement of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the clamp support member shownin FIG. 2.

[0018]FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view of the clamp support member.

[0019]FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the clamp spring member shownin FIG. 2.

[0020]FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view of the clamp spring member.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the saw blade clampingarrangement of FIG. 1, illustrating interconnection of the drive shaftwith a conventional saw blade.

[0022]FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the keyless saw bladeclamp of FIG. 1 taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 1 illustrated with theend plate of FIG. 2 removed for purposes of clarity.

[0023]FIG. 9 is a partial view of a mounting portion of a firstalternative saw blade configuration acceptable for use with the sawblade clamping arrangement of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 10 is a partial view of a mounting portion of a secondalternative saw blade configuration acceptable for use with the keylesssaw blade clamping arrangement of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping assembly of FIG.1 taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 1, illustrating the release leverrotated to a first stable position in which the clamp spring member ofthe clamping assembly biases the saw blade into operative connectionwith the drive shaft.

[0026]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIG.11, illustrating the release lever in a second stable position in whichthe clamp spring member is displaced from the saw blade by the releaselever, thereby permitting the saw blade to be easily removed from theclamp assembly.

[0027]FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a saw blade clamping arrangementconstructed in accordance with the teachings of a second preferredembodiment of the present invention and a portion of a reciprocatingsaw.

[0028]FIG. 14 is an enlarged side view of the clamp support member ofthe second preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

[0029]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 15-15 ofFIG. 14.

[0030]FIG. 16 is an enlarged side view of the locking pin member of thesecond embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

[0031]FIG. 17 is an enlarged side view of the spring clamp member of thesecond embodiment shown in FIG. 13.

[0032]FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of the saw bladeclamping arrangement of FIG. 13, illustrating the lever rotated to afirst position in which the locking pin member is displaced from theslot which receives the saw blade, thereby permitting the saw blade tobe easily removed or inserted from the clamp support member.

[0033]FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to that shown inFIG. 18, illustrating the release lever in a second position in whichthe clamp spring member biases the locking pin member into a lockedposition for retaining the saw blade within the slot.

[0034]FIG. 20 is a side view of a portion of a reciprocating sawillustrated to include a partial cross-sectional view of a saw bladeclamping arrangement constructed in accordance with the teachings of athird preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 21 is an end view of the reciprocating saw of FIG. 20,illustrating the saw blade clamping arrangement in a clamped position.

[0036]FIG. 22 is an end view similar to FIG. 21, illustrating the sawblade clamping arrangement in a release position.

[0037]FIG. 23 is an enlarged side view of the saw blade clampingarrangement of FIG. 20 shown removed from the reciprocating saw forpurposes of illustration.

[0038]FIG. 24 is an end view of the saw blade clamping arrangement ofFIG. 22.

[0039]FIG. 25 is a top view of the clamp support member of FIG. 24.

[0040]FIG. 26 is a top view of the clamp support member of FIG. 24.

[0041]FIG. 27 is a side view of the slider member of FIG. 24.

[0042]FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 28-28 ofFIG. 27.

[0043]FIG. 29 is an end view of the collar of FIG. 24.

[0044]FIG. 30 is a side view of the collar of FIG. 24.

[0045]FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 31-31 ofFIG. 30.

[0046]FIG. 32A is a perspective view of a first end of an outer memberof an alternative collar for use with saw blade clamping arrangement ofthe third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0047]FIG. 32B is a perspective view of a second end of the outermember.

[0048]FIG. 33A is a perspective view of a first end of an inner memberintended to cooperate with the outer member of FIG. 30.

[0049]FIG. 33B is a perspective view of a second end of the innermember.

[0050]FIG. 34 is a view similar to FIG. 26, enlarged and illustratingthe saw blade held in position within the clamp by the bearing and thelocating pin.

[0051]FIG. 35 is a partially cut-away view of a saw blade clampingarrangement constructed in accordance with the teachings of a fourthpreferred embodiment of the present invention shown to include a sawblade ejection mechanism, the saw blade ejection mechanism shown in aretracted state.

[0052]FIG. 36 is a partially cut-away view similar to FIG. 35,illustrating the saw blade ejection mechanism in an extended state.

[0053]FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 37-37 ofFIG. 26.

[0054]FIG. 38 is a side view of the plunger of the fourth preferredembodiment of the present invention shown removed from the environmentof FIGS. 35 and 36 for purposes of illustration.

[0055]FIG. 39 is a side view of the cap of the fourth preferredembodiment of the present invention shown removed from the environmentof FIGS. 35 and 36 for purposes of illustration.

[0056]FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 40-40 ofFIG. 39.

[0057]FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a reciprocating saw incorporatinga saw blade clamping arrangement constructed in accordance with theteachings of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention, thesaw blade clamping arrangement shown operatively associated with a sawblade in a first orientation.

[0058]FIG. 42 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of thereciprocating saw of FIG. 41, the saw blade clamping arrangement shownoperatively associated with the saw blade in a second orientation.

[0059]FIGS. 43A and 43B are a perspective view similar to FIG. 42 withthe saw blade clamping arrangement shown operatively associated with thesaw blade in a third orientation and a side view of the saw bladeclamping arrangement securing the saw blade in the third orientation toa drive shaft of the tool, respectively.

[0060]FIG. 44 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 42, the saw bladeclamping arrangement shown operatively associated with the saw blade ina fourth orientation.

[0061] FIGS. 45A-45C are various views of a clamp base of the saw bladeclamping arrangement of FIGS. 41-44.

[0062] FIGS. 46A-46C are various views of a slider of the saw bladeclamping arrangement of FIGS. 41-44.

[0063]FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 47-47 ofFIG. 41.

[0064]FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 47, illustratingthe lever articulated to a blade release position.

[0065]FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 49-49 ofFIG. 41.

[0066]FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the reciprocating saw of FIG. 41,illustrating the saw blade in the third position and the reciprocatingsaw being used for flush-cutting of a work piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0067] The present invention provides an improved saw blade clampingarrangement for a power tool. While shown throughout the drawings invarious embodiments for a saw blade clamping arrangement specificallyadapted for a reciprocating saw, those skilled in the art willappreciate that the invention is not so limited in scope. In thisregard, the various teachings of the present invention will beunderstood to be readily adaptable for use with any power toolincorporating one or more reciprocating cutting members (e.g.,reciprocating saws, jig saws, various surgical saws and culinary knives,etc.).

[0068] Turning generally to the drawings in which identical orequivalent elements have been denoted with like reference numerals, andspecifically to FIGS. 1 through 12 thereof, a first preferred embodimentof an exemplary power tool is shown. The exemplary power tool embodiesthe teachings of the present invention and is illustrated in FIG. 1 as apower reciprocating saw which has been identified generally at referencenumeral 10. In a conventional manner, power reciprocating saw 10 ispowered by a motor (not shown) that is actuated by a trigger switch 12.The delivery of electrical energy to the motor through a power cord(partially shown at 14) is controlled by trigger switch 12.

[0069] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, power tool 10 is shownto include a handle portion 16 which carries trigger switch 12. Powertool 10 is also shown to include a housing 18 that includes a centrallylocated motor housing portion 20 and a forwardly located gear casehousing portion 22. As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, gear case housingportion 22 is formed to include a front face 24 having a generallyrectangular aperture 26 which defines the opening of a longitudinallyextending drive shaft channel 28.

[0070] Power tool 10 further includes a drive shaft 30 partiallyextending within drive shaft channel 28 and operatively connected with adrive mechanism (not shown) housed within gear case housing portion 22.This interconnection between the drive mechanism and drive shaft 30 canbe in any manner well known in the art. Drive shaft 30 is mounted forreciprocating motion generally along the longitudinal axis defined bypower tool 10.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 18 includes first andsecond forwardly extending sidewall members 32 and 34 interconnectedwith gear case housing portion 22. In the first preferred embodiment,first and second forwardly extending side wall members 32 and 34 areintegrally formed with gear case housing 22 and are constructed ofaluminum, magnesium or other suitable lightweight metal. The particularconfiguration and function of first and second forwardly extendingsidewall members 32 and 34 will be described in detail below.

[0072] Drive shaft 30 is adapted to cooperate with a cutting member suchas a saw blade 38 for driving the saw blade 38 back and forth in acutting motion along a rectilinear path. In this regard, reciprocatingdrive shaft 30 is formed to include a transversely extending aperture 40for receiving a drive pin 42 (shown in FIG. 7). An interference fitretains drive pin 42 within aperture 40. The saw blade constructionshown in FIGS. 1 and 7 conventionally includes a forwardly locatedcutting portion 44 integrally formed with a rearwardly located mountingportion 46. In a manner well known in the art, an aperture 48 formed inmounting portion 46 of saw blade 38 receives drive pin 42 when saw blade38 is mounted to reciprocating drive shaft 30. The exposed end of drivepin 42 extends from a first side wall 52 (shown in FIG. 8) ofreciprocating shaft 30 in a dimension approximately equivalent to thethickness of saw blade 38.

[0073] Power tool 10 of the present invention further includes aclamping arrangement 56 for releasably maintaining saw blade 38 inoperative connection with reciprocating drive shaft 30. Clampingarrangement 56 is shown throughout the drawings to include a clampsupport member 58, a biasing member 60, and a actuation member 62. Theremainder of this detailed description of the first preferred embodimentwill be primarily directed to the construction and operation of clampingarrangement 56 which is the focus of the present invention.

[0074] Referring specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, the construction andoperation of the clamp support member 58 will be described. In theexemplary embodiment shown throughout the drawings, clamp support member58 is illustrated as a separate element which is adapted to beinterconnected with reciprocating drive shaft 30 for movement therewith.However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that clampsupport member 58 and drive shaft 30 may alternatively be integrallyformed as a single component. Clamp support member 58 is unitarilyconstructed of a hardened steel or other suitable material.Interconnection between clamp support members 58 and drive shaft 30 isestablished through a roll pin 68 in interference fit engagement with atransversely extending aperture 70 passing through clamp support member58 and a corresponding aperture 72 disposed in reciprocating drive shaft30.

[0075] Clamp support member 58 includes a main body portion 73 whichpartially defines a longitudinally extending channel 74 sized to receivereciprocating drive shaft 30. More particularly, the longitudinalchannel 74 is defined by an inner wall 75 and by first and secondopposing side walls 76 and 78 which each terminate at end walls 80 and82, respectively. Inner wall 75 is concavely curved to receive a secondside wall 79 of reciprocating drive shaft 30. In the first preferredembodiment, a first side wall 52 of reciprocating drive shaft 30 isadapted to sit flush with end walls 80 and 82 (as shown in FIGS. 11 and12). End walls 80 and 82 cooperate with first side wall 52 to provide asurface against which saw blade 38 is disposed when operativelyconnected with a power tool 10.

[0076] Adjacent an upper surface 86, clamp support member 58 is formedto integrally include an L-shaped flange 88 which partially defines achannel 90 for receiving an upper surface 94 of saw blade 38. Adjacent alower surface 96, clamp support member 58 includes an outwardlyextending portion 98 adapted to abut a lower surface 100 of saw blade38. Upper surface 86 of clamp support member 58 includes a pair ofspaced, upwardly extending flange portions 102 and 104. As will beappreciated below, flange portions 102 and 104 cooperate to limitlongitudinal movement of biasing member 60. A second transverselyextending channel 108 is partially defined between the main body portion73 of clamp support member 58 and a downwardly extending portion 110 ofa rear wall 112 of clamp support 58. Channel 108 is open along a bottomside.

[0077] Referring specifically to FIG. 6, the biasing member of thepresent invention is preferably illustrated as a spring clamp member 60.Spring clamp member 60 is adapted to be directly carried by clampsupport member 58 for movement with reciprocating drive shaft 30. Springclamp member 60 is generally C-shaped and is integrally formed of aresilient metal or other suitable material to include a curvilinearcentral portion 120 and first and second ends 122 and 124. In oneapplication, spring clamp member 60 is constructed of 0.050 inch steel.A side view of clamp spring member 60 is shown in FIG. 6 in asubstantially unloaded condition. An aperture 125 passes through centralportion 120 which is adapted to accept an end of drive pin 42 when a sawblade is not in clamping arrangement 56.

[0078] Clamp spring member 60 further includes generally linear upperand lower segments 126 and 128 integrally attached to opposite ends ofcurvilinear central portion 120. Upper and lower segments 126 and 128are disposed generally transverse to curvilinear central portion 120 andcooperate with the curvilinear central portion 120 to partially define alongitudinally extending opening 130 for receiving a portion of clampsupport member 58 and reciprocal drive shaft 30.

[0079] Spring clamp member 60 is further shown to include a retainingportion 132 adjacent second end 124 which is adapted to be constrainedwithin longitudinal channel 108 of clamp support member 58. Spring clampmember 60 further integrally includes a spring tab portion 136 adjacentfirst end 122 which extends upwardly relative to upper segment 126 andis angled slightly rearwardly in the direction of curvilinear centralportion 120. Spring tab portion 136 is free from direct constraint withrespect to clamp support member 58.

[0080] When assembled and in clamping engagement with drive shaft 30 andsaw blade 38, lower segment 128 of spring clamp member 60 is positionedadjacent bottom surface 96 of clamp support member 58. In an unloadedcondition, upper segment 126 of spring clamp member 60 is arranged to bepositioned substantially adjacent upper surface 86 of clamp supportmember 58. As discussed above, longitudinal translation of spring clampmember 60 is limited by flange portions 102 and 104 of clamp supportmember 58.

[0081] Curvilinear central portion 120 includes a lower, outwardlycurved segment 139 which accommodates saw blade 38 and an upper,outwardly curved segment 140. Curvilinear central portion 120 furtherincludes an inwardly curved central portion 142 arranged to directlycontact saw blade 38. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the particular construction of spring clamp 60 is subject tomodification without departing from the scope of the present invention.Any construction will be suitable which incorporates a portion forfixation to clamp support member 58, a portion for directly biasing sawblade 38 and a displaceable free end.

[0082] While in a clamping position such as that shown in FIG. 11, clampspring member 60 functions to exert a biasing force against saw blade 38through contact of central portion 142 and saw blade 38. The biasingforce serves to retain saw blade 38 in operative connection withreciprocating drive shaft 30 by preventing saw blade 38 from movingtransversely with respect to drive shaft 30.

[0083] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that clampingarrangement 56 of the present invention is able to accommodate sawblades of various configurations without modification. By way of exampleand not of limitation, two alternative saw blade constructions suitablefor use with clamping arrangement 56 are illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.Referring to FIG. 9, a first alternative saw blade 38′ includes agenerally rectangular mounting portion 46′ formed with an aperture 48′sized to receive drive pin 42. In FIG. 10, a second alternative sawblade 38″ is shown to include an aperture 48″ and a longitudinallyextending slot 144. Any of a number of other known saw bladeconstructions may be releasably interconnected to drive shaft 30 throughclamping arrangement 56 of the present invention.

[0084] As shown throughout the drawings, actuation member of the presentinvention is preferably illustrated as a release lever 62 operative toovercome the biasing force of spring clamp member 60 and therebyfacilitate removal and replacement of saw blade 38. In the exemplaryembodiment illustrated, release lever 62 is mounted for pivotal movementbetween a first stable position or clamped position (shown in FIG. 11)and a second stable position or unclamped position (shown in FIG. 12).Significantly, when release lever 62 is in its first stable position, itis spaced apart from spring clamp member 60 permitting release lever 62to remain longitudinally fixed with respect to housing 18. Thus, releaselever 62 remains relatively stationary as reciprocating drive shaft 30operates, thereby reducing the weight translated back and forth by driveshaft 30 and also reducing attendant vibration forces.

[0085] To facilitate pivotal mounting of release lever 62, power tool 10further includes an end plate 150 interconnected with first and secondforwardly extending sidewall members 32 and 34. As shown in FIG. 2, endplate 150 is generally planar and has a configuration similar to frontface 24 of gear case housing 22. End plate 150 includes an aperture 152through which saw blade 38 is permitted to pass. In the embodimentillustrated, end plate 150 is attached to first and second forwardlyextending side wall members 32 and 34 by a plurality of threadedfasteners 154 adapted to pass through four apertures 156 provided in theend plate. Fasteners 154 are adapted to engage threaded holes 158located in boss portions 160 on each of the forwardly extending sidewalls members 32 and 34. In the embodiment illustrated, boss portions160 are located along the free ends of first and second forwardlyextending side wall members 32 and 34. It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that end plate 150 can be alternatively attached toforwardly extending side wall members 32 and 34 in any of a number ofother well known manners. In this regard, it is anticipated that endplate 150 could alternatively be welded to forwardly extending sidewalls members 32 and 34.

[0086] Release lever 62 has a generally L-shaped cross section includinga first leg 170 and a second leg 172. The longitudinal length of releaselever 62 is sufficient to extend along the entire travel path of springclamp member 60 as drive shaft 30 is reciprocated. A longitudinallyextending aperture 174 passes through the length of release lever 62 atthe junction of first and second legs 170 and 172 and is adapted toreceive a pivot pin 176. Pivot pin 176 includes a first end 178 adaptedto engage an aperture 180 formed in front face 24 and a second end 182adapted to engage an aperture 184 located in end plate 150. Second end182 is of a reduced diameter so as to prevent forward translation of pin176.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, release lever 62 is formed toinclude a recess or pocket 188 configured to accommodate a torsionspring 190. Torsion spring 190 functions to bias release lever 62towards its first stable position (as shown in FIG. 11) and includes acentral portion surrounding an adjacent portion of pivot pin 176.Torsion spring 190 also includes a fixed end 194 in engagement with aboss portion 196 of recess 188. Torsion spring 190 further includes afree end 198 adapted to engage a stop pin 200 extending from front face24 of gear case housing 22. Stop pin extends into recess 180 to avoidinterference with release lever 62.

[0088] As shown most clearly in FIGS. 11 and 12, second forwardlyextending wall member 34 is generally S-shaped in cross section andincludes an upper segment 208 providing a stop surface 210 arranged tosupport release lever 62. Upper segment 208 serves to prevent furtherrotation of release lever 62 in a counterclockwise direction as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. First leg 170 of release lever 62 transversely extendsslightly beyond an upper vertical segment 212 of second forwardlyextending wall member 34 so that the operator can grasp a free end 214of first leg 170.

[0089] First forwardly extending side wall member 32 is generallyL-shaped in cross-section and is formed along the perimeter of acorresponding portion of front face 24 of gear case housing 22. An uppersegment 216 of second forwardly extending side wall member 34 terminatesat a stop surface 218 for engaging release lever 62 when release lever62 is rotated to its second stable position (as shown in FIG. 12).

[0090] Second leg 172 of release lever 62 includes an engagement surface222 adapted to contact spring tab portion 136 of spring clamp member 60.As shown in FIG. 12, clockwise rotation of release lever 62 about alongitudinal pivot axis defined by pivot pin 176 results in contactbetween engagement surface 216 of second leg 172 and spring tab portion136 of spring clamp member 60. The length of second leg 172 issignificantly less than the length of first leg 170, thereby providing amechanical advantage for overcoming the biasing force exerted by springclamp member 60.

[0091] The pivot axis of release lever 62 defined by pivot pin 176 isdisposed relative to engagement surface 222 of second leg 172 so as toprovide an over-centered relationship therebetween. As a result, asrelease lever 62 approaches its second stable position (as shown in FIG.12), the opposing biasing force of spring clamp member 60 urges releaselever 62 against stop surface 218 of first forwardly extending wallportion 32.

[0092] With particular reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the operation ofthe clamping arrangement 56 of the present invention heretofore detailedwill now be described. Beginning with saw blade 38 operatively connectedto reciprocating drive shaft 30, release lever 62 is rotated in aclockwise direction from its first stable position (shown in FIG. 11) bymanual urging of first leg 170 to overcome the biasing force of torsionspring 190. Initial clockwise rotation causes second leg 172 of releaselever 62 to engage spring tab portion 136 of spring clamp member 62.

[0093] Continued clockwise rotation of release lever 62 serves totransversely displace spring tab portion 136 and to overcome the biasingforce of spring clamp member 62 by elastically deforming spring clampmember 60. More specifically, elastic displacement of spring tab portion136 creates a gap 224 between curvilinear central portion 120 of springclamp member 60 and saw blade 38. As release lever 62 approaches itssecond stable position, the over-centered relation between engagementsurface 222 of second leg 172 and the pivot axis defined by pivot pin176 causes the biasing force of spring clamp member 60 to further urgerelease lever 62 in a clockwise direction against stop surface 218. Atthis point, release lever 62 will stay in its second stable positionuntil urged in the direction of its first stable position. As a result,both of the operator hands are free for handling replacement of sawblade 38 or other necessary tasks.

[0094] Saw blade 38 can now be removed from power tool 10 and a newblade can be inserted into gap 224 between spring clamp member 60 andreciprocating drive shaft 30. Upper edge 94 of saw blade 38 is locatedin channel 90 and aperture 48 is positioned over drive pin 42. Operatinginterconnection between saw blade 38 and reciprocating drive shaft 30 isestablished by manual urging of release lever 62 in a counterclockwisedirection. Following initial counterclockwise movement of lever 62, thebiasing force of spring clamp member 60 urges release lever 62 to itsfirst stable position.

[0095] Turning now to FIGS. 13-19 of the drawings, a saw blade clampingarrangement 56′ constructed in accordance with the second preferredembodiment of the present invention will now be described. In thissecond embodiment, components similar to those identified with respectto the first embodiment will be designated in the drawings withcorresponding reference numerals. As with the first preferredembodiment, saw blade clamping arrangement 56′ is operative for use withpower tool 10 such as a reciprocating saw or other tool including areciprocating drive shaft 30.

[0096] As with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention,the saw blade clamping arrangement 56′ of the second preferredembodiment includes a clamp support member 58, a biasing member 60 andan actuation member 62. The saw blade clamping arrangement 56′ of thesecond preferred embodiment departs from the first preferred embodimentin that it additionally incorporates a locking member 230 operative toselectively engage saw blade 38 and interconnect saw blade 38 to driveshaft 30. The remainder of this detailed description of the secondpreferred embodiment will address departures in construction andfunction of the second preferred embodiment from the first preferredembodiment.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 13, drive shaft 30 of the second preferredembodiment is generally cylindrical and includes an open distal end 232for receiving a first end 234 of clamp support member 58. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated, first end 234 of clamp support member58 and drive shaft 30 are interconnected by pin 68 which engagescooperating apertures 235 located in first end 234 and shaft 30.However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that anysuitable manner may be utilized to operatively interconnect clampsupport member 58 with drive shaft 30. For example, clamp support member58 and shaft 30 may alternatively be press fit together and brazed.

[0098] With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, clamp support member 58 isshown to include a generally rectangular channel 236 partially extendinglongitudinally therethrough. Rectangular channel 236 is open adjacent asecond end 238, or distal end, of clamp support member 58 and isconfigured to receive mounting portion 46 of saw blade 38. Clamp supportmember 58 further includes a transversely extending recess 240 having agenerally conical portion 242 and a reduced diameter cylindrical portion246. Reduced diameter cylindrical portion 246 is arranged to align withaperture 48 in mounting portion 46 of saw blade 38 upon insertion of sawblade 38 into channel 236. Conical portion 242 is partially defined byan upwardly extending cylindrical flange 248. As will become apparentbelow, recess 240 is configured to cooperatively receive locking member230.

[0099] With continued reference to FIG. 13 and additional reference toFIG. 16, locking member 230 is shown to include a generally conicalportion 250 configured to cooperate with conical portion 242 of recess240. In a similar manner, locking member 230 includes a generallycylindrical portion 252 adapted for insertion into cylindrical portion246 of recess 240. When locking member 230 is seated into recess 240 ofclamp support member 58, cylindrical portion 252 intersects rectangularchannel 236 and engages aperture 48 in mounting portion 46 of saw blade38, thereby operatively interconnecting saw blade 38 with clamp supportmember 58. Locking member 230 is shown to further include a head 254interconnected to conical portion 250 through a reduced diameter portion256.

[0100] With reference now to FIGS. 13 and 17, biasing member 60 of thesecond preferred embodiment will now be described. As with the firstpreferred embodiment, biasing member 60 of the second preferredembodiment is a spring clamp member 60 adapted to be directly carried byclamp support member 58 for movement with drive shaft 30. Spring clampmember 60 includes a first end 122 displaceable by actuation member 62and a second end 124 constrained with respect to clamp support member58. Second end 124 is constrained within longitudinal channel 108 ofclamp support member 58. Spring clamp member 60 normally functions tobias locking member 230 to a seated position within recess 240 of clampsupport member 58 and thereby operatively interconnect clamp supportmember 58 and saw blade 38.

[0101] As most clearly shown in FIG. 17, spring clamp member 60 includesan aperture 258 disposed adjacent first end 122. Aperture 258 includesan elongated portion 260 interconnected to a circular portion 262. Inuse, head 250 of locking member 230 is inserted through circular portion262 of aperture 258 and reduced diameter portion 256 of locking member230 is positioned within elongated portion 260. As first end 122 ofspring clamp member 60 is deflected by actuation member 62, reduceddiameter portion 256 of locking member 230 is permitted to translatewithin elongated portion 260.

[0102] As with the first preferred embodiment, the release lever 62 ofthe second preferred embodiment is pivotally interconnected to housing18 for movement between a first position and a second position. In thisregard, pivot pin 176 passes through longitudinally extending aperture174. First end 182 engages aperture 184 formed in cover plate 150.Similarly, second end 178 engages aperture 180.

[0103] In the first position (as shown in FIG. 19), release lever 62 isspaced apart from spring clamp member 60 and does not reciprocate withdrive shaft 30. Free end 214 of release lever 62 abuts a lip 262 formedwith housing 18 to prevent further rotation of release lever 62 in aclockwise direction as shown in the drawings. In its second position (asshown in FIG. 18), release lever 62 displaces first end 122 of springclamp member 60, thereby partially removing locking member 230 fromrecess 240. As a result, cylindrical portion 252 is withdrawn fromchannel 236 and aperture 48 of saw blade 38, thereby permitting removalof saw blade 38.

[0104] Turning now to FIGS. 20-31 of the drawings, a saw blade clampingarrangement 56″ constructed in accordance with the third preferredembodiment of the present invention will now be described. Again,components similar to those identified with respect to the firstembodiment will be designated in the drawings with correspondingreference numerals. As with the first and second preferred embodiments,saw blade clamping arrangement 56″ is operative for use with power tool10 such as reciprocating saw or other tool including a reciprocatingdrive shaft 30.

[0105] As with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention,saw blade clamping arrangement 56″ of the third preferred embodimentincludes a support member 58, a biasing member 60 and an actuationmember 62. Saw blade clamping arrangement 56″ of the third preferredembodiment departs from the first preferred embodiment in that itadditionally incorporates a locking member 310 operatively interconnectsaw blade 38 to drive shaft 30, a control member 312 operative todisplace locking member 310, and a collar 314 movably supporting controlmember 312. The remainder of this detailed description will addressdepartures in construction and function of the third preferredembodiment from the prior embodiments.

[0106] As with the second preferred embodiment, drive shaft 30 of thethird preferred embodiment is generally cylindrical and includes an opendistal end 232 for receiving a first end 234 of support member 58.Preferably, first end 234 of support member 58 and shaft 30 arepress-fit together and brazed. Alternatively, it will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that any suitable manner may be utilized tooperatively interconnect support member 58 with drive shaft 30.

[0107] With specific reference to FIGS. 25 and 26, clamp support member58 of tool 56 is shown to include a pair of spaced apart legs 316. Agenerally rectangular channel 318 (best shown in FIG. 24) is partiallydefined by the pair of legs 316 and extends substantially the entirelength of legs 316 and is adapted to receive mounting portion 46 of sawblade 38. Support member 58 further includes a transversely extendingelongated hole 320. Aperture 320 extends through a first leg 316 a andintersects rectangular channel 318. Upon insertion of saw blade 38 intochannel 318, aperture 320 is substantially aligned with aperture 48 inmounting portion 46 of saw blade 38. As will become apparent immediatelybelow, aperture 320 is configured to receive locking member 310. Lockingmember 310 of the third preferred embodiment is shown to preferablycomprise a spherical bearing 310. Bearing 310 has a diameter slightlysmaller than the width of elongated hole 320. The elongatedconfiguration of the hole allows the bearing 310 to float and easilylocate hole 48 in saw blade 38.

[0108] With reference now to FIGS. 21, 22, 27 and 28, control member 312of the third preferred embodiment will now be described. Control member312 is interconnected to support member 58 so as to be linearlytranslatable with respect thereto. In the embodiment illustrated,control member 312 is linearly translatable in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of reciprocal motion of drive shaft 30between a first position and a second position. As will be discussedfurther below, control member 312 is operatively retained relative tosupport member 58 through collar 314. Control member 312 is operativefor selectively urging bearing 310 into engagement with saw blade 38 tothereby operatively engage saw blade 38 with drive shaft 30. Moreparticularly, in a first position, as shown specifically in FIG. 21,control member 312 urges bearing 310 into engagement with saw blade 38.In this first position, bearing 310 is partially inserted into aperture46 from a first side of saw blade 38. In its second position, as shownin FIG. 22, control member 312 permits bearing 310 to be displaced froma position engaged with aperture 46 of saw blade 38, thereby permittingremoval and replacement of saw blade 38.

[0109] With continued reference to FIG. 27 and the cross-sectional viewof FIG. 28, control member 312 is shown to include a channel 326 for atleast partially receiving bearing 310. The channel 326 includes adish-shaped pocket 328 and a concavely curved trough 330. Trough 330 isdefined by a camming surface which is angled such that trough 330 ismost shallow at a point displaced from cavity 328. When control member312 is in its second position (as shown in FIG. 22), locking member 310is substantially centered within cavity 328 of channel 326. As a result,bearing 310 can be displaced from a position in which it is engaged withaperture 46 of saw blade 38. As control member 312 is moved from itssecond position to its first position, bearing 310 rides along trough330. Given the angular orientation of trough 330, bearing 310 isresultantly forced toward rectangular channel 318 and into engagementwith aperture 46 of saw blade 38.

[0110] With reference to FIGS. 29-31, collar 314 of the third preferredembodiment of the present invention will now be described. As notedabove, collar 314 functions to interconnect control member 312 withsupport member 58, and in turn drive shaft 30. Collar 314 includes amain body portion 332 which defines a central aperture 334 adapted toreceive the pair of legs 316 of the support member 58. As a result,collar 314 effectively circumferentially surrounds support member 58. Acotter pin 336 passes through a hole 338 in main body portion 332 and acorresponding hole 340 in support member 58 to thereby releasablyinterconnect 314 and support member 58.

[0111] As shown specifically in FIG. 30, collar 314 defines a generallyT-shaped channel 339 adapted to slidingly receive control member 312.More particular, T-shaped channel 339 includes a vertically orientedportion 340 and a horizontally oriented portion 342. Vertically orientedportion 340 is specifically adapted to receive a pair of outwardlyextending flanges 344 which are integrally formed with control member312. A flange 346 extends through horizontally oriented portion 342 andslightly beyond.

[0112] It will be appreciated that in certain applications it may bedesirable to provide the collar 314 in two components. For example, atwo-component collar may provide manufacturing advantages. Withreference to FIGS. 32 and 33, an alternative two-piece collar 314 foruse with the saw blade clamping arrangement 56″ of the third preferredembodiment. The collar 314 is shown to include two components, namely.An outer member 350 is shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B. An inner member 352is shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B. The outer and inner members 350 and 352cooperate to accomplish the functions on the collar 314 discussed above.

[0113] In the embodiment illustrated, biasing member 60 comprises a coilspring 60 which circumferentially surrounds support member 58. As shownin FIG. 23, a first end 350 of coil spring 60 engages an aperture 352formed in support member 58. A second end 354 of coil spring 60 andaperture 356 formed in flange 346 below control member 312. Coil spring60 functions to normally bias control member 312 towards its firstposition (as shown in FIG. 21) in which bearing 310 is forced intoengagement with aperture 46 of saw blade 38.

[0114] Referring now to FIGS. 20-22, the release lever of the thirdpreferred embodiment is shown pivotally interconnected to housing 18 formovement between a first position (as shown in FIG. 21) and a secondposition (as shown in FIG. 22). In this regard, a pivot pin 176 passesthrough a longitudinally aperture in release lever 62. First end 182 ofpivot pin 186 engages apertures 184 formed in cover plate 150. Secondend 178 of pivot pin 176 engages aperture 180. Alternatively, it will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that release lever 62 can beintegrally formed to include cylindrical portions extending in oppositedirections and effectively replacing pivot pin 176.

[0115] In the first position, release lever 62 is spaced apart fromflange 346 of control member 312. It will be appreciated that releaselever 62 does not reciprocate with drive shaft 30. In its secondposition, release lever 62 displaces control member 312 to its secondposition, thereby permitting removal and replacement of saw blade 38 inthe manner discussed above. In the preferred embodiment, release lever62 of the third preferred embodiment is mounted to tool 10 such that aninterference fit is established so as to maintain release lever 62 inits release position. Alternatively, release lever 62 may be mounted totool 10 such that its second position (as shown in FIG. 22) is anover-centered position.

[0116] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the saw blade clampingarrangement 56″ of the third preferred embodiment is shown to include alocating pin 360 which extends into the longitudinal opening of thesupport member 58 and is adapted to engage the aperture 46 of the sawblade 38 from a second side of the saw blade 38. Spherical bearing 310and locating pin 360 cooperate to prevent inadvertent removal of sawblade 38 from the longitudinal slot. In this regard, locating pin 360prevents spherical bearing 310 from being pushed out of aperture 46 whensaw blade 38 is under severe loads. Locating pin 360 is adapted to seatin aperture 46 of blade 38 and accordingly serves to further lock blade38 in place. The diameter of locating pin 360 is smaller than aperture46 of saw blade 38, thereby permitting spherical bearing 310 and thespring force applied to spherical bearing 310 to locate blade 38 withinclamp support member 58. Specifically, to prevent release of blade 38from clamp support member 58 when spherical bearing 310 tends to slideout of the longitudinal blade opening slot, the sidewall of aperture 46of saw blade 38 engages locating pin 360 and blade 38 is retained withinclamp support member 58.

[0117] Turning now to FIGS. 35-40 of the drawings, a saw blade clampingarrangement 56′″ constructed in accordance with the teachings of thefourth preferred embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed. The saw blade clamping arrangement 56′″ of the fourthpreferred embodiment will be understood to be substantially identical tothe saw blade clamping arrangement 56″ of the third preferred embodimentexcept that the clamping arrangement 56′″ of the fourth preferredembodiment has been modified to include a mechanism 400 for ejecting thesaw blade 38 therefrom. Components similar to those identified withregard to previously described embodiments will be designated in thedrawings with corresponding reference numerals.

[0118] The ejection mechanism 400 of the fourth preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated to generally include a plunger 402,an end cap 404, and a coil spring 406. As with the prior embodiments,the clamping arrangement 56′″ includes a mounting member or clampsupport member 408. The clamp support member 408 is similar in functionand construction to the clamp support member 58 with the exception thatit has been modified to accommodate the plunger 402. In this regard, theclamp support member 408, which is press-fit into an end of the driveshaft 30, defines a generally cylindrical cavity 410. The cylindricalcavity 410 is shown most clearly in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 37.

[0119] The plunger is an elongated plunger 402 including a first end 412and a second end 414. A radially extending flange 416 is disposedbetween the first and second ends 412 and 414. The plunger 402 isdisposed within the cavity 410, with the first end 412 extending througha reduced diameter aperture 418 provided in the clamp support member408. The second end 414 extends from an aperture 420 provided in the cap404 which is press-fit into a countersunk portion 422 of cavity 410. Thecap 404 is shown to include an axially extending flange 424.

[0120] The plunger 402 is linearly movable between a first position(shown in FIG. 36) and a second position (shown in FIG. 35) for ejectionthe saw blade 38 from the saw blade clamping arrangement 56′″. In theexemplary embodiment, the saw blade clamping arrangement 56′″ includes abiasing member in the form of a coil spring 426 which surrounds thesecond end 414 of the elongated plunger 402 and biases the plunger 402to the second position. The coil spring 426 is opposed on one side thecap 404 and on the other side by the flange 416.

[0121] When the saw blade 38 is inserted into the saw blade clampingarrangement 56′″, the saw blade 38 abuts the first end 412 of theplunger 402 and displaces the plunger 402 rearwardly. This rearwardtranslation of the plunger 402 compresses the coil spring 426 betweenthe cap 404 and the flange 416. When removal or replacement of the sawblade 38 is desired, the release lever 62 is operated to move the sawblade clamping arrangement 56′″ to its unclamped position and thebiasing force of the coil spring 426 forces the plunger 402 to itssecond position to thereby eject the saw blade 38.

[0122] Turning now to FIGS. 41-50 of the drawings, a saw blade clampingarrangement constructed in accordance with the teachings of a fifthpreferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated andgenerally identified at reference character 500. As with the priorembodiment of the present invention, the saw blade clamping arrangement500 is operative to releasably couple a saw blade 38 with areciprocating drive shaft 30 of a power tool 10 such as reciprocatingsaw. Primarily, the saw blade clamping arrangement 500 of the fifthpreferred embodiment of the present invention functionally differs fromthe remaining embodiments described herein by being able to accommodatethe saw blade 38 in various orientations. As will be more appreciatedbelow, this aspect of the present invention provides the user of thetool 10 with improved flexibility to avoid obstacles that may beencountered during cutting operations.

[0123] Prior to addressing the specific construction and operation ofthe clamping arrangement 500, a brief understanding of the various sawblade orientations is warranted. FIG. 41 illustrates a first cuttingposition in which the blade 38 is disposed in a generally vertical planeand the teeth of the blade 38 are oriented downward. This bladeorientation is typical of known reciprocating saws. FIG. 42 illustratesa second cutting position in which the blade 38 is again oriented in agenerally vertical plane. In this second cutting position, the teeth ofthe blade 38 are oriented upward. FIG. 43 illustrates a third cuttingposition in which the blade 38 is oriented in a generally horizontalplane and thereby mutually perpendicular to the first and second cuttingpositions. FIG. 44 illustrates a fourth cutting position in which theblade 38 is again oriented in a generally horizontal plane. In thisfourth cutting position, the teeth of the blade 38 are oriented in adirection opposite to the third cutting position of FIG. 43.

[0124] The clamping arrangement 500 is illustrated to generally includea clamp base or clamp support 502 and a control member or slider 504.The clamp base 502 includes a mounting portion 506 defining an aperture508. In the preferred embodiment, the aperture 508 receives a fastener509 (shown in FIG. 43B) for removably attaching the clamp base 502 tothe reciprocating shaft 30 of the tool 10. Alternatively, the clamp base502 may be press fit or otherwise suitable attached to the shaft 30.

[0125] The clamp base 502 defines a first or vertical slot 510 forreceiving the blade 38 in either the first cutting position (as shown inFIG. 41) or the second cutting position (as shown in FIG. 42). As shownin connection with the prior embodiments of the present invention, thesaw blade 38 includes a mounting portion 46 including an aperture 48. Asperhaps shown most particularly in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 47and 48, the clamp base 502 defines an aperture or opening 512 thatintersects the first slot 510 and is configured to receive a lockingmember or ball 514. In a manner to be addressed more specifically below,the locking ball 514 engages the aperture 46 of the saw blade 38 forsecuring the saw blade 38.

[0126] The clamp base further defines a hole 516. The hole 516 receivesa locating pin 518 (see FIG. 47). The locating pin 518 extends into theopening 510 and cooperates with locking ball 514 to prevent inadvertentremoval of the saw blade 38 from the slot 510. The locating pin 516 isadapted to seat in the aperture 46 of the blade 38 and accordinglyserves to further lock the blade 38 in place. In this regard, thelocating pin 518 prevents the locking ball 514 from being pushed out ofthe aperture 46 when the saw blade 38 is under severe loads.

[0127] The clamp base 502 is further illustrated to include a second orhorizontal slot 520. The second slot 520 is operative to receive the sawblade 38 in the third cutting position (shown in FIG. 43) or the fourthcutting position (shown in FIG. 44). Significantly, the second slot 520is spaced from the first slot 510. In this manner, the saw blade 38 isoff center relative to the drive shaft 30 and positioned proximate aside wall of the tool housing. Such positioning of the saw blade 38closer to the side wall of the tool housing facilitates flush cutting ofa work piece with the saw blade 38.

[0128] The second slot 520 is intersected by a third slot 522 thatslidably receives the slider 504. The slider or control member 504 islinearly translatable within the third slot in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of reciprocal motion of the driveshaft 30between a first position and a second position. As will be explainedfurther below, the slider 504 is operative for selectively urging thelocking ball 514 into engagement with the saw blade 38 to therebyoperatively engage the saw blade 38 with the drive shaft 30. In thefirst position, as shown specifically in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 47, the slider 504 urges the locking ball 514 into engagement withthe saw blade 38. In this first position, the locking ball 514 ispartially inserted into the aperture 46 from the first side of the sawblade 38. In its second position, as shown in the cross-sectional viewof FIG. 48, the slider 504 is linearly translated downward and permitsthe locking ball 514 to be displaced from a position engaged with theaperture 46 of the saw blade 38. In this manner, removal and replacementof the saw blade 38 is permitted.

[0129] The slider 504 includes a first portion for selectively creatingan operative connection between the saw blade 38 and the reciprocatingdrive shaft 30. In the embodiment illustrated, the first portioncomprises a channel or camming slot 524 for at least partially receivingthe locking ball 514. The channel 524 comprises a concavely curvedtrough defined by a camming surface which is angled such that thedownward displacement of the slider 504 from the first position to thesecond position provides additional clearance for the locking ball 514to accommodate movement away from the saw blade 38. Given the angularorientation of the channel 524, as the control member 504 is moved fromits second position to its first position, the locking ball 514 isresultantly forced into the aperture 512 and toward the saw blade 38.

[0130] The slider 504 will be understood to be further operative toselectively retain the saw blade 38 relative to the drive shaft 30 whenthe saw blade 38 is in its third cutting position or fourth cuttingposition. In this regard, the slider 504 further includes a secondportion 530 for selectively creating an operative connection between thesaw blade 38 and the reciprocating drive shaft 30 when the saw blade 38is in its third cutting position or fourth cutting position. In theembodiment illustrated, the second portion is an integrally formed pin530. As perhaps shown most particularly in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 49, when the slider 504 is translated upward to its first position,the integrally formed pin 530 of the slider 504 engages an aperture ofthe saw blade 38. In this manner, the saw blade 38 is retained withinthe slot 520. Conversely, translation of the slider 504 from its firstposition downward to its second position, displaces the pin 530 from thesaw blade 38 to permit removal and/or replacement of the saw blade 38.

[0131] As with the prior embodiments, the clamping arrangement 500includes a release lever 532 which functions to translate the slider 504from the first position to the second position. In a normal position (asshown in FIG. 41), the release lever 532 is spaced apart from a flange536 of the slider 504. It will be appreciated that the release lever 532does not reciprocate with the drive shaft 30 of the tool 10. The releaselever 532 is movable (i.e., rotatable) to a second position (as shown inFIG. 48). In this second position, the release lever 130 displaces theslider 504 downward to its second position and thereby permits removaland replacement of the saw blade 38 in the manner discussed above. Theslider 504 is biased upward (as shown in FIGS. 47 and 49) to its firstposition by a biasing member 538 (shown in FIG. 43B). The biasing member538 is preferably a spring 538. A spring identical in construction andfunction is shown in FIG. 23 in connection with the third embodiment ofthe present invention and need not be described in connection with thisembodiment.

[0132] It will now be understood that the present invention provides theuser of the tool 10 with improved flexibility to avoid obstacles thatmay be encountered by the handle, motor, or other parts of the tool 10during cutting operations. In this regard, the saw blade 38 can beoriented in various ways relative to the geometry of the remainder ofthe tool 10 to minimize difficulties encountered with obstacles. Oneexample of this aspect of the present invention is shown particularly inFIGS. 43A, 43B and 50. In FIG. 43B, the saw blade 38 is received by theclamp support 502 in the third orientation. The saw blade 38 isdisplaced from a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 30. As a result,the saw blade 38 is positioned closer to a side wall of a housing of thetool 10 (see FIG. 43A). In FIG. 50, the tool 10 is being used with theblade 38 in this third orientation to flush-cut a work piece adjacent awall portion or planar member. A more flush cut of the work piece isfacilitated in this manner.

[0133] While the above description constitutes various preferredembodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that the inventionis susceptible to modification, variation, and change without departingfrom the proper scope or fair meaning of the accompanying claims. Forexample, it will be understood that the teachings of the presentinvention are directly applicable to other power tools havingreciprocating drive shafts, including but not limited to jigsaws.

What is claimed is:
 1. A saw blade clamping arrangement for a power toolincluding a housing, a drive shaft mounted for reciprocating motionrelative to the housing, and a saw blade releasably interconnected withthe drive shaft for reciprocating motion along a longitudinal axis, thesaw blade clamping arrangement comprising: a clamp supportinterconnected with the drive shaft, the clamp support configured toselectively receive the saw blade in at least two mutually perpendicularorientations; and a control member connected to the clamp support, thecontrol member including a first portion for selectively creating anoperative connection between the saw blade and the drive shaft when thesaw blade is received by the clamp support in a first of the at leasttwo mutually perpendicular orientations, the control member furtherincluding a second portion for selectively creating an operativeconnection between the saw blade and the drive shaft when the saw bladeis received by the clamp support in a second of the at least twomutually perpendicular orientations.
 2. The saw blade clampingarrangement of claim 1, wherein the control member is movable between afirst position creating the operative connection between the saw bladeand the drive shaft and a second position permitting removal of the sawblade.
 3. The saw blade clamping arrangement of claim 2, furthercomprising a release lever attached to the housing, the release leverbeing manually movable to control movement of the control member betweenthe first position and the second position.
 4. The saw blade clampingarrangement of claim 2, wherein the control member is linearly movablebetween the first position and the second position.
 5. The saw bladeclamping arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first portion is a cam slotthat receives a ball.
 6. The saw blade clamping arrangement of claim 1,wherein the second portion is a pin that directly engages the saw blade.7. The saw blade clamping arrangement of claim 1, in combination withthe tool.
 8. A saw blade clamping arrangement for a power tool includinga housing, a drive shaft mounted for reciprocating motion relative tothe housing, and a saw blade releasably interconnected with the driveshaft for reciprocating motion along a longitudinal axis, the saw bladeclamping arrangement comprising: a clamp support for attachment to thedrive shaft, the clamp support defining a vertical slot for receivingthe saw blade in a vertical orientation and a horizontal slot forreceiving the saw blade in a horizontal orientation, the vertical slotbeing spaced from the horizontal slot.
 9. The saw blade clampingarrangement of claim 8, further comprising a control member forselectively creating an operative connection between the saw blade andthe drive shaft when the saw blade is received in either the verticalslot or the horizontal slot.
 10. The saw blade clamping arrangement ofclaim 9, wherein the control member is movable between a first positioncreating the operative connection between the saw blade and the driveshaft and a second position permitting removal of the saw blade.
 11. Thesaw blade clamping arrangement of claim 10, wherein the control memberis linearly movable between the first position and the second position.12. The saw blade clamping arrangement of claim 9, wherein the controlmember includes a first portion for selectively creating the operativeconnection between the saw blade and the drive shaft when the saw bladeis received in the vertical slot and a second portion for selectivelycreating the operative connection between the saw blade and the driveshaft when the saw blade is received in the horizontal slot.
 13. The sawblade clamping arrangement of claim 12, wherein the first portion is acam slot that receives a ball.
 14. The saw blade clamping arrangement ofclaim 12, wherein the second portion is a pin that directly engages thesaw blade.
 15. A saw blade clamping arrangement for a power toolincluding a housing, a drive shaft mounted for reciprocating motionrelative to the housing, and a saw blade releasably interconnected withthe drive shaft for reciprocating motion along a longitudinal axis, thesaw blade clamping arrangement comprising: a clamp supportinterconnected with the drive shaft, the clamp support configured toselectively receive the saw blade in at least two non-parallelorientations; a control member connected to the clamp support, thecontrol member for creating an operative connection between the sawblade and the drive shaft when the saw blade is received by the clampsupport in any of the at least two non-parallel orientations, thecontrol member movable between a first position for creating theoperative connection and a second position permitting removal of the sawblade; and a release lever for mounting to the housing, the releaselever normally spaced from the control member and manually movable toengage the control member and displace the control member from the firstposition to the second position.
 16. The saw blade clamping arrangementof claim 15, wherein the control member includes a first portion forselectively creating the operative connection between the saw blade andthe drive shaft when the saw blade is received by the clamp support in afirst of the at least two non-parallel orientations, the control memberfurther including a second portion for selectively creating theoperative connection between the saw blade and the drive shaft when thesaw blade is received by the clamp support in a second of the at leasttwo non-parallel orientations.
 17. The saw blade clamping arrangement ofclaim 15, wherein the control member is linearly movable between thefirst position and the second position.
 18. The saw blade clampingarrangement of claim 15, wherein the at least two non-parallelorientations includes first and second mutually perpendicularorientations.
 19. The saw blade clamping arrangement of claim 16,wherein the clamp support defines a vertical slot for receiving the sawblade in a vertical orientation and a horizontal slot for receiving thesaw blade in a horizontal orientation, the vertical slot being spacedfrom the horizontal slot.
 20. The saw blade clamping arrangement ofclaim 15, in combination with the tool.